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Is it too Hot for Work?

Working away in stifling hot offices can leave many wondering - how high does the temperature need to go before it becomes too hot to work?

But is it that simple? What are your rights when it comes to the temperature in the workplace, and what should you do if you're worried about your kids in the classroom? Here's what you need to know...

Can you go home from work if your office is too hot?

The TUC wants to make it illegal to keep people at work indoors if the temperature is above 30C, and put protection in place for people working outside or driving for a living.

Unfortunately, there isn't a legally defined maximum or minimum temperature for offices yet.

But your employer is responsible for "keeping the temperature at a comfortable level" and there are rules that could allow you to leave if the office is too hot.

The TUC says: "When the workplace gets too hot it is more than just an issue about comfort.

"If the temperature goes too high then it can become a health and safety issue. If people get too hot, they risk dizziness, fainting, or even heat cramps.

"In very hot conditions the body’s blood temperature rises. If the blood temperature rises above 39C, there is a risk of heat stroke or collapse. Delirium or confusion can occur above 41C.

"Blood temperatures at this level can prove fatal and even if a worker does recover, they may suffer irreparable organ damage."

According to the HSE: "A meaningful maximum figure cannot be given due to the high temperatures found in, for example, glass works or foundries."

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which lays down particular requirements for most aspects of the working environment, states that: “During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable."

The HSE explains: “If a significant number of employees are complaining about thermal discomfort, your employer should carry out a risk assessment, and act on the results of that assessment.”

If you're a vulnerable employee – for example if you're pregnant or are undergoing the menopause, or if you need to wear protective equipment at work so can't take off layers - that also has to be taken into account.

So the answer is simple – if you're uncomfortable, tell your boss and if enough people complain then they have to act.

Can you go home in the hot weather if you work outside?

The health and safety temperature laws only apply to "indoor workplaces" - so what if you work outside, in the agricultural or construction industries?

Again, no maximum temperature has been set - but employers are legally obligated to conduct risk assessments on workplaces to ensure that temperatures are ‘reasonable’.

In 2013, Army reservists Lance Corporal Roberts, Lance Corporal Maher and Corporal Dunsby all died as a result of heat exhaustion after a training session in the Brecon Beacons.

The HSE launched an investigation of the Ministry of Defence, and found that there had been a failure to plan, assess and manage risks associated with climatic illness during the training.

The exercise should have been called off hours before when temperatures reached record highs, they said.

The HSE were unable to prosecute the MoD because it is a government body, but the case highlights the duty of care on the employer.

Employers should ensure their workers have access to water and monitor the health of their employees in hot conditions, according to HSE guidelines.

If you have concerns that it's too hot to do physical labour outside, do raise these with your employer.

Can you keep your kids home from school if it is too hot?

During a heatwave in 2013, school teachers called for maximum legal temperatures to be set in classrooms over fears that it was too hot for the kids.

At the time, general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union Chris Keates said heatwave temperatures make pupils lethargic, affect concentration and can lead to fainting.

The union called for a maximum classroom temperature of 30C - which would see kids sent home if thermometers rose above this level.

However, the law remained the same - and, as with term-time holidays, you could get into trouble for keeping your kids off school in the heatwave.

Parents should make sure their kids are well equipped in a heatwave, with a hat and sunscreen if they are likely to be playing outdoors.